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# Calling Out Toxic and Abusive Behaviour in the Church
- URL: https://chrisenns.com/2023/02/calling-out-toxic-and-abusive-behaviour-in-the-church/
- Published: 2023-02-28T06:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-04-03T21:56:43.000Z
- Description: Church communities often have a strong desire to see justice done out in the world, particularly in non-Christian culture - but can be very apathetic and resistant to tackling justice inside the church.
- Author: Chris Enns
- Tags: abuse, evangelical, Saskatchewan, education

The stories coming out of Christian Centre Academy / Legacy Christian Academy / Mile Two Church (*see further reading below for more on what's going on*) about alleged abuses are deeply concerning.

As a way of standing up for Cate Erickson, who's been leading the call for accountability and legal action in a very public way, Aaron Webster [wrote a post apologizing for his lack of action in the past, as well as a call to support Cate and others as they seek justice](https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story%5Ffbid=pfbid03Rt34vhi65gSwBhMxhUyyeAcwqLaggjbkUoCg12K7Xf5sUKJACo4MMeXF6TBzF8gl&id=765045421&mibextid=qC1gEa):

> I had knowledge of much of this abuse growing up and find it terrifying to think back and recall things observed or told of – yet somehow, compartmentalized – so that I did nothing about it. Yes, I left the school’s associated church. In doing so taking care of me. At times I also stood up for close friends and family members who were treated poorly – but only in one-on-one settings. I was tough - often derogatory to descriptions of abuse, conveying that the abused should “toughen up” or just get over it. Never - have I engaged in efforts aimed to take care of other students, to stop & prevent abuse, or secure justice for the abused. My failure to do so - is a deep regret of mine.

Church communities often have a strong desire to see justice done out in the world, particularly in non-Christian culture - but can be very apathetic and resistant to tackling justice inside the church:

> I was very wrong in my inaction and passive approach. Skills, relationships, ability – none have I chose to employ to stand up against serious abuses - that I was aware of. “Rolling my eyes and walking away” - was far from good enough. I am sorry. I am sorry, especially to those younger than me. For whom my inaction may have negatively impacted, by leaving unimpeded - opportunities for continuing perpetration by abusive people & practices.

And then towards the end of his statement, he does a great job of clarifying that these aren't "sides" that people need to agree on before they can protect the innocent and hold people accountable for being abusive:

> I don’t personally agree with Cate on many issues in a political arena. Neither she & I, nor “we”: as CCA alum, members of a community of Christian faith, or private education supporters, need to agree on much. We all though can can agree on the need to protect the innocent and hold accountable - those who knowingly perpetrate abuse and who permit known damaging practices against children.

If someone, particularly a leader, downplays issues as being "just two sides disagreeing", they're likely too scared to call out the bad behaviour, because they don't want to appear partial to a side. If you call out bad behaviour wherever you see it, then you're not on a side. You're actively trying to keep bad behaviour out of your community.

Aaron's post should serve as a warning to those who are hardening their heart towards seeing justice done, seeking the truth wherever it may be, and striving for accountability in leadership.

*Via* [*@CateSask on Twitter*](https://twitter.com/CateSask/status/1630360486284754945?s=20&ref=chrisenns.com)*.*

### Further reading[permalink](https://chrisenns.com/2023/02/Christian-school-cate/#heading-further-reading)

- ['Perfect victims': Culture, teachings left scars on former Sask. students](https://leaderpost.com/feature/perfect-victims-culture-teachings-left-scars-on-former-sask-students?ref=chrisenns.com)
- [Isolated mind-renewal program, and hideout for an alleged child sexual-abuser; inside a Sask. cult’s religious discipline center.](https://blog.markdrapak.com/canaan-land/?fbclid=IwAR2d0si4n%5F-gXiAYlo-QCITSoBJ5zr37mvWOqa8pN4bgZwIaDhuFSfkGl2g&ref=chrisenns.com)
- [Legacy Christian a sad old story of skirting the rules](https://leaderpost.com/opinion/murray-mandryk-legacy-christian-a-sad-old-story-of-skirting-the-rules?fbclid=IwAR210RqGJwgaex6An4Zzy9-ndQQ3ri2%5F8qFwUwftkis1uaDzCFD15YaEctY&ref=chrisenns.com)
- [Woman 'empowered' as former Christian school coach faces charges 10 years after alleged sexual exploitation](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatoon-private-christian-school-jen-beaudry-aaron-benneweis-1.6728684?fbclid=IwAR2jMCT9UWjeMsT-dMNyUkHg0X2v06Mf-fSpivG-pcsA-9J%5FZyYXu3Wy9v0&ref=chrisenns.com)
- [Former student says she was 'groomed' by Saskatoon educator accused of sexual assault](https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/i-was-perfectly-groomed-former-student-details-incidents-with-former-saskatoon-teacher-after-charges-laid-1.6257139?fbclid=IwAR3MOr1o21wE3Jpp5N5%5FjZGjOOnagw6z0oF%5F6HquJ2ae%5FPysgPbl8lNmRDk&ref=chrisenns.com)
- [Former coach at private Christian school in Saskatoon charged with sexual assault, exploitation of a minor](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/christian-centre-academy-aaron-benneweis-1.6734625?fbclid=IwAR00TQl%5F4JsPdVIDlF9ESY7YIlFGaHOkB1DLf4husybnB4IhRaET-WxmrKM&ref=chrisenns.com)